How would you crop this? - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

11/28/2006 11:30:07 PM · #1

I want to make a 16x20 print of this shot. Can you guys help me with a crop? I can't seem to find one that I like. You can add a matte/border, or not... proportionate or not.

I tried this, and don't know how I feel about it?... comments?

Message edited by author 2006-11-28 23:36:30.

JRalston

Canon EOS-20D

11/28/2006 11:50:16 PM · #2

I think I like the first the best. The tighter crop helps keep your eye on the barn. Love the shot.

aliqui

Nikon D300s

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II

11/28/2006 11:56:28 PM · #3

One thing I did was crop the fences short. It gives the illusion that they go on longer than they do which adds to the rural appeal I think.

Message edited by author 2006-11-28 23:57:36.

Bear_Music

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

Sony 24-70mm F4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

11/28/2006 11:56:35 PM · #4

Originally posted by JRalston:

I think I like the first the best. The tighter crop helps keep your eye on the barn. Love the shot.

Yeah, but his problem is that's not in 16x20 proportion; it's too wide for its height. He doesn't have any cropping room on the sides, so int he second one he stretched the image vertically to make the correct proportions. Unfortunately this has produced an unrealistic look; the eye just doesn't accept this version as being "right".

Speaking for myself, I never worry about this stuff, exact proportions. I let the image be what it wants to be, so in this case it would be a "whatever x 20" print. If I needed to make it "read" 16x20 to an automated printer, I'd add white borders top and bottom, and finish off with narrow black lines at the very top and bottom, so the printer "saw" something and accepted the image, then matte all that out in framing.

The picture is lovely in its original proportions; don't change it.

R.

Prism

Pentax K-30

Pentax SMC DA 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 AL WR

11/28/2006 11:57:07 PM · #5

I like the first crop better as well. If you really want the 16x20 size what about a crop something like this where you lose the trees on the left?

Message edited by author 2006-11-28 23:57:54.

freakin_hilarious

Canon EOS-550D Rebel T2i

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

11/28/2006 11:57:54 PM · #6

Do you have an uncropped version for us to play with?

Cam

Sony DSC-F717

11/28/2006 11:58:46 PM · #7

Originally posted by JRalston:

I think I like the first the best. The tighter crop helps keep your eye on the barn. Love the shot.

I agree with that, I also like it because the snow tracks are a bit more defined.

11/29/2006 12:08:38 AM · #8

Originally posted by freakin_hilarious:

Do you have an uncropped version for us to play with?

The first version is uncropped.... and it needs to be 16x20...

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

11/29/2006 09:32:50 AM · #9

I think this is what I'm going to go with...

PhantomEWO

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

11/29/2006 10:24:16 AM · #10

For digital monitor viewing a tight crop looks good. Remember that if you want to print, mount and matt the photo a tight crop may ruin it. It takes some room to properly matt a photo. Sometimes here the advise is almost always for a computer monitor view or a postcard type view. Look at how you are going to finalize the photo and leave room for matt, frame etc. Good luck and great photo